Interface block for toy stacking block and rail track systems

ABSTRACT

A connector block for an interlocking block system and an interlocking track system includes a first portion having an intermatable track segment of the track system and a second portion having a block interface of the block system, with the track segment offset from the block system. The second portion preferably includes at least two block interfaces of different genders with each configured to mate with elements of the other gender. The underside of the block interface defines a horizontal lower plane without protrusions and defines protrusion-receiving receptacles. An upper block interface defines a horizontal upper plane and includes a plurality of protrusions extending beyond the upper plane and configured to be received in the protrusion-receiving receptacles. The interoperable connector block may include a sloped track segment, and is preferably a body formed of a single material. The connector block is preferably intermatable with Duplo® and Brio® modular components.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to modular mateable elements for toys sets in which elements may be assembled by building out in one or more directions upon a play surface or by stacking in directions orthogonal to the play surface.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Modular toy building sets have been popular for decades if not over a century. Modular elements of a typical toy set include mateable interfaces allowing elements to be temporarily joined to create abstract dendritic structures or surface-based networks of more concrete systems such as model roads, racetracks, and railway networks. Elements which add vertical stacking for elevation gain allow the creation of bridges, overpasses, and loops. Elements may be arcuate or straight, so that elevation gains of straight sections create ramps, and elevation gains of arcuate sections may create helical pathways.

Children seeking to integrate playsets are often thwarted because the modular interconnection features of one set are rarely compatible with other playsets. For example, Lincoln Logs® do not connect with TinkerToys® and neither of those toy sets attach to K′nex® or Erector® building elements.

Children wanting to create mixed structures often need special interoperable elements which have more than one set of modular interconnect features, so that a single interoperable component may mate with more than one kind of playset.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top left rear view of an embodiment of a connector block in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a bottom left rear view of the connector block of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a left elevation view of the connector block of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 a shows an oblique view of a helical ramp assembly constructed using the connector block of FIG. 1 , stacking play blocks of the Duplo® system, and play track segments of the Brio® system.

FIG. 4 b is a stylized representation of a top view of the helical ramp assembly of FIG. 4 a.

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of a portion of the helical ramp assembly shown in FIG. 4 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Modular toy building sets have elements which include interconnection features among the components of the set. In this specification the words “module” and “modular” refer not only to any of a set of standardized parts or independent units that may be used to construct a more complex structure or to complete or complement a geometrically defined area or volume, but also any one of a set of detachable and exchangeable components having common exterior geometries or mating features. A product is “modular” when there are no unpredictable elements in the design of its parts, especially in its exterior shape and in the predetermined location and features for mating or assembling the product into a larger entity in which all modules fit together and work together. “Modularity” standardizes the way by which components fit and interact together.

Specific play set manufacturers create specific module definitions for intermating features allowing play pieces to temporarily and detachably connect to each other.

“Gender” in this specification refers to sets of interconnect features primarily involving interlocking or light interference or friction fits of protuberances or projections known as “male” being received and retained within apertures or cavities known as “female.” Male features will only mate with female features and vices versa, constraining the orientations of parts. “Hermaphroditic” interfaces include both male and female features so generally there are fewer orientation constraints for such components and larger combinations of available mating options for parts within a playset.

Modular toy building sets allow assemblies to extend along one or more axes or contours laying on a playing surface which is usually substantially planar. Stackable block components typically comprise (female) downwardly open, box-shaped building elements, each of which is provided on the upper surface with (male) coupling studs serving to couple one element to a corresponding element by engagement between the sidewalls of the other element. Such building sets are constructed so that the dimensions of each building element is an integral multiple of a given basic module, so that the coupling studs have the same dimensions and are spaced equally among all the elements.

Most gendered modular elements define a linear axis or an arcuate contour with male mating features at one end of the axis or contour and female features at the other end so that straight and curved sections of model roads, race tracks, or trains tracks may be assembled to any indefinite length, and modular stackable elements may be built to indefinite heights. However some components are designed to end the extension: column cappers have female bottoms and lack male studs on top so that additional vertical stacking is not allowed. Train sets often include track end bumpers with only one set of gendered connection features.

Children may become interested in combining different playsets, especially combining stackable building sets with roadway and railway playsets to create features with elevations gains such as ramps and overpasses and sections of elevated track supported by piers built up from stackable components. Since interconnect modularity of the track playset components are generally incompatible with the stacking modularity of the stackable building set, until recently they would have little choice than to rest the track sections upon the piers, with no effective mechanical engagement to stabilize the interface. These unstable ad hoc assemblies come apart and collapse easily which is disappointing or frustrating to the players.

The advent of inexpensive additive manufacturing machines such as 3D printers allowed parents to design effective interoperable components which combine modular interconnect features of stacking building sets with modular features of track-based playsets. For example, a connector block may be manufactured having a set of downwardly open, box-shaped building elements, and a short section of track defining a track axis perpendicular to the stacking direction, with female track mating modularity on one end of the track axis and male track mating modularity on the other end of the track axis. Lacking male studs in the track section, such a block functions as a column capper but offers much more secure support to the track sections positively connected to it. A succession of piers capped by such an interoperable connector block provides an elevated track section. Ramps may be built by incrementing or decrementing the number of stacked blocks beneath the interoperable capping block.

Elevated arcuate track sections and even elevated closed loops may be built using track section capping blocks, but these capping blocks would not be useful for building a helical climbing ramp because on attempting to complete a first loop of track, no support is provided for an upper track continuing the loop above the lower track. The inventive connector block solves this deficiency by providing a short section of modular track located adjacent to a stackable block portion having male and female modular block interface features. Although several block stacking modules and several toy train track modules are available, specific and preferred embodiments of the invention are configured for the Duplo® stacking block modular system and the Brio® modular train track system and rolling stock collection. For reference, the Duplo® stud and box interconnect module is twice the scale of the Logo® building block system.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows a top left rear view of an embodiment of a connector block in accordance with the invention. The interoperable connector block melds the Brio® interlocking track system with the Duplo® interlocking block system. The block [1] comprises a first portion [10] having a track segment of the track system and a second portion [20] having a block interface of the block system, with the track segment laterally offset from the block system. The track portion is a straight section on a constant incline, including a pair of grooves [11] for guiding the wheels of Brio®-style rolling stock. The male end of the track section includes a bulbous protuberance [13] and a shelf [16] for supporting an elevated section of track by its female end. The female end of the track section includes a receiving cavity [14] complementary to the male protuberance and a support membrane spanning across the bottom portion of the cavity for supporting an elevated section of track by its male protuberant end.

The second portion adjacent to the track portion is a stackable building block portion including two block interfaces of which one is visible in this figure and the other is visible in FIG. 2 . The upper block interface seen in this figure defines a horizontal upper plane with a plurality of protrusions [21] extending beyond the upper plane and configured to be received in the protrusion-receiving receptacles of other Duplo® building blocks. This connector block allows additional vertical building extending upwardly alongside of the supported sections of track.

FIG. 2 shows a view of a bottom left rear view of the connector block [1] of FIG. 1 . The track portion [10] includes Brio®-compatible grooves [11,] a bulbous protuberance [13] as a male end compatible with the standard Brio® female interface module, and a shelf [16] to support the female end of a Brio® track segment mated to it. The female end of the track portion includes a cavity [14] compatible with the standard Brio® male interface module, and a support membrane spanning across the bottom portion of the cavity for supporting an elevated section of track by its male protuberant end. The lower block interface defines a horizontal lower plane without protrusions and also defines protrusion-receiving receptacles resident within the central underside cavity and defined as spaces between a central secondary stud [22] disposed within the cavity and friction ribs [24] within the cavity. The clearances between the secondary stud and the friction ribs is sized to receive Duplo®-style male studs and retain them by a light interference fit. Thus, although the top and underside Duplo®-compatible block interfaces are of different gender, they are of a common format configured to mate with others components of different gender. Although it may be possible to create the connector block portions separately of different materials and affix them together such as by adhesive, in a preferred embodiment the block is a unitary body formed of a single material.

In summary, the connector block is directed to an interlocking block system, so that the first portion is a track portion having a track segment of the track system, and the second portion is a block portion that includes different male and female block interfaces: the male block interface of the block system and the female block interface of the block system. The two portions are preferably laterally adjacent to each other and share a common bottom plane. It is also possible and within the scope of the invention to create an interoperative connecting block with the track portion adjoined to the opposite side of the stackable block portion than the side shown in the figures, and it is also possible and within the scope of the invention to create a connector block having the male and female track section interfaces opposite to those shown in the figures.

FIG. 3 shows a left elevation view of the connector block of FIG. 1 . The block interface defines a horizontal plane [N1] and the track segment [12] is sloped with respect to the horizontal plane. In this embodiment the ramp slope [a] is 5° incline. The male block interface and the female block interface each define planes parallel to each other. The male block interface includes upwardly protruding studs [21.] The female block interface defines plane [N1] and the male block interface defines plane [N2.] The track segment portion is a first portion and the track mating feature and the female block mating feature define and share a horizontal plane. The first portion and the block mating portion, which is a second portion, have lower surfaces in a common lower plane. The track portion includes a shelf [16] for resting a female end of track mated to the male protuberance [13.] The shelf is also preferably angled parallel to the incline angle of the track portion.

As seen by the male block interface plane [N2,] at least a portion of the block interface resides above the track interface. The track features are sloped with respect to the horizontal plane, because the track segment is angled with respect to the block interface planes so that the track is angled when the planes are horizontal. It is also possible and within the scope of the invention to create a connector block having a track section with a declining slope [12′] as shown by phantom lines.

FIG. 4 a shows an oblique view of a helical ramp assembly constructed using the connector block of FIG. 1 , stacking play blocks of the Duplo® system, and play track segments of the Brio® system. A track section capping block [33] is included in the figure to illustrate that such a block does not allow additional vertical stacking and is thus not suitable for building a helical ramp assembly. The capping block includes a shelf portion for securely supporting track sections [26] mated to it. Track segments [26] are segments which enter and depart the multi-turn helical ramp. The helical ramp is built up from arcuate sections of track [28] which in the Brio® system are 45° segments, which means that eight curved segments are used for each complete turn of helical ramp.

For effective play, the elevation gain of any complete turn of the helix should be high enough to rise above the tallest Brio® rolling stock. This minimum preferred height dimension is shown as [h] in the figure and will clear an exemplary phantom outline of play rolling stock [35] anywhere along the helical assembly and also when resting on the track features of a first connector block directly below the track features of a second connector block.

Because the track is supported adjacent to the modular stackable building block features, piers may be constructed of several Duplo® blocks stacked between instances of the inventive interoperable connector block. Experimentation has revealed that four standard Duplo® block thickness units create height sufficient to clear Brio® rolling stock. With the interoperable connector block providing one of these thicknesses, piers constructed of three standard Duplo® blocks [31] stacked between interoperable connector blocks [1] provide the desired vertical clearance.

FIG. 4 b is a stylized representation of a top view of the helical ramp assembly of FIG. 4 a . The interoperable connector blocks [1] each have a first track portion [10] and a second stacking block portion [20.] Since there are seven or eight 45° curved track segments per turn of helix, there will be seven or eight per piers per loop as well. Half-thickness blocks would preferably need to be included at some of the bases of the piers so that in this example as illustrated, the inlet or outlet track [26] connects to a first interoperable connector block [p₁] resting on the assembly plane such as a table or a floor of a playroom. The next pier [p₂] would employ a half thickness Duplo® block shimmed beneath the next inter-operable connector block. The third pier [p₂] would employ one standard thickness Duplo® block beneath it. The fourth pier [p₄] would have one standard thickness block and one half-thickness block beneath it. The fifth pier [p₅] would have two standard thickness blocks beneath it. The sixth pier [p₆] would have two standard thickness blocks and one half-thickness block beneath it. The seventh pier [p₇] would have two standard thickness blocks and one half-thickness block beneath it. The eighth pier [p₈] would have three standard thickness blocks beneath it. Finally, as the turn is completed, the first pier [p₁] and all other piers would have three standard thickness blocks above each inter-operable connector block where a section of track is supported above that interoperable connector block.

It is also notable that since each interoperable connector block includes a short, straight section of track, that the loop is not actually a perfect circle and that the centers of arc [c] of the curved track sections are not all coincident. Similarly, the helical ramp assembly is not a true continuous helix but is a toy approximation comprising planar arcs oriented at various inclined planes. The angular misalignments of the curved track sections at their junctions with the short, straight track sections of the connector block are slight enough that the toy rolling stock and their couplings are not greatly disturbed as they pass by.

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of a portion of the helical ramp assembly shown in FIG. 4 a . The built-up piers which support more than one level of curved track segments [28] include one or more periodic sequences of three Duplo® stacking blocks [31] sandwiched above and below by two of the inventive connector blocks [1.] Thus, a block assembly for supporting track system components comprises a first connector block defining track features and having a track connector configured to connect to a track system segment, and the first connector block includes a first block mating feature and at least a second spacer block having block mating features connected to the first block mating feature. A second connector block also defines track features and has a track connector configured to connect to a track system segment. The second connector block also includes a second block mating feature connected to one of the block mating features of a spacer block.

The first connector block and the second connector block are a common shape, so that during construction, any first connector block may take the place of any other connector block in the final assembly of a plurality of the block assemblies interconnected by a plurality of curved track segments and spaced apart by a helical pitch wherein the block assemblies are arranged at progressively differing heights and rotational orientations to provide a helical track system.

In the assembly shown it is seen that the track features of the first connector block and of the second connector block are registered vertically with each other and spaced apart at a vertical clearance [h] such that a vehicle resting on the track features of the first connector block would reside directly below the track features of the second connector block.

Modular building sets such as these help children appreciate the advantages of interchangeable parts. Although many exemplary embodiments are described above, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A connector block for an interlocking block system and an interlocking track system, the block comprising: a first portion having a track segment of the track system; a second portion having a block interface of the block system; and the track segment being laterally offset from the block system.
 2. The connector block of claim 1, wherein the second portion includes at least two block interfaces.
 3. The connector block of claim 2, wherein the block interfaces are of different gender and of a common format configured to mate with others of different gender.
 4. The connector block of claim 2, wherein a lower block interface defines a horizontal lower plane without protrusions and defines protrusion-receiving receptacles.
 5. The connector block of claim 4, wherein an upper block interface defines a horizontal upper plane, with a plurality of protrusions extending beyond the upper plane and configured to be received in the protrusion-receiving receptacles.
 6. The connector block of claim 1, wherein the block system is Duplo-compatible.
 7. The connector block of claim 1, wherein the block interface defines a horizontal plane and the track segment is sloped with respect to the horizontal plane.
 8. The connector block of claim 1, wherein the block is a unitary body formed of a single material.
 9. The connector block of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion have lower surfaces in a common lower plane.
 10. The connector block of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the block interface is above the track interface.
 11. A connector block for an interlocking block system having different male and female block interfaces, and for an interlocking track system, the block comprising: a first portion having a track segment of the track system; a second portion having the male block interface of the block system; and the second portion having the female block interface of the block system.
 12. The connector block of claim 11, wherein the male block interface and the female block interface each define planes parallel to each other.
 13. The connector block of claim 12 wherein the track segment is angled with respect to the planes such that the track is angled when the planes are horizontal.
 14. The connector block of claim 11, wherein the block is a unitary body formed of a single material.
 15. The connector block of claim 11, wherein the block system is Duplo-compatible.
 16. The connector block of claim 11, wherein the second portion defines a horizontal plane and the track segment is sloped with respect to the horizontal plane.
 17. The connector block of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion have lower surfaces in a common lower plane.
 18. The connector block of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the block interface is above the track interface.
 19. A block assembly for supporting track system components, the block assembly comprising: a first connector block defining track features and having a track connector configured to connect to a track system segment; the first connector block including a first block mating feature; at least a second spacer block having block mating features connected to the first block mating feature; a second connector block defining track features and having a track connector configured to connect to a track system segment; the second connector block including a second block mating feature connected to one of the block mating features of the spacer block;
 20. The connector block of claim 20, wherein the first connector block and the second connector block are a common shape.
 21. The connector block of claim 20, including a plurality of the block assemblies interconnected by a plurality of curved track segments.
 22. The connector block of claim 22, wherein the block assemblies are arranged at progressively differing heights and rotational orientations to provide a helical track system.
 23. The connector block of claim 20, wherein the track features of the first connector block and of the second connector block are registered vertically with each other such that a vehicle resting on the track features of the first connector block is directly below the track features of the second connector block.
 24. The connector block of claim 20, wherein the first block mating feature defines a horizontal plane, and the track features are sloped with respect to the horizontal plane. 